Taking a defensive position

Many of the technologies developed by Ireland’s thriving defence industry have a range of other uses, writes Sean O’Riordan

Reamda robotic platforms being used to survey damage remotely in the aftermath of a fire in Douglas Shopping Centre. Picture: Vrai.ie

LAST month Defence Minister Simon Coveney and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris visited Baldonnel Aerodrome, the home of the Air Corps, to announce research funding to develop new technological solutions for challenges identified by the Defence Forces.

A shortlist of 10 teams was selected for the Science Foundation Ireland Defence Organisations Innovation Challenge. Mr Coveney said he believed the scheme would “confront emerging issues within the Defence Forces head-on, through the collaboration of leading researchers with the talented people behind our Defence Forces”.